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By Lloyd E. Klos Here Were Literally Scores of Makes of Theatre Pipe Organs

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By Lloyd E. Klos Here Were Literally Scores of Makes of Theatre Pipe Organs • ~ by Lloyd E. Klos here were literally scores of makes of theatre pipe organs. fl Some achieved world-wide fame. Others were known only in the region of their manufacture. Ever hear of the Cozatt? We didn't until one of our friends, Vic Hyde, un­ ATTENTIONALLCHAPTERS! earthed one back in late 1973. Hyde National Headquarters has sent a form (for list­ is the famous entertainer who em­ ing the 1977 officers) to 1976 chapter officers, to ploys multiple trumpets and other be returned to Headquarters immediately! brass instruments for his act. Those If you are a newly elected officer please check who saw him perform at the 1974 to make sure this form has been returned to Na­ Detroit ATOS Convention remember tional Headquarters by your chapter. his sensational routine. It is important that National Headquarters have "In my 100,000 miles of travel per this list immediately because it is to be published year," he says, "I have asked people in the next issue of THEATRE ORGAN. two questions: 'Are there any antique autos in barns around here?' and 'Do you know of any theatre pipe ~.u ~~.-2~ organs available for sale?' The re­ ~,,,. sults have netted me a very unique ~ ~~ collection of 33 antique and special­ "-ii~------------------------- interest cars, 14 of them three­ stretching to the ceiling. To the right "I did not argue price, which was wheelers (as of May 1976). was a massive 4-manual console. The not too steep. I put the money into "But now, I own a genuine theatre floor was strewn with debris and the the man's hand, and told him I'd be organ. I had read of people finding furniture was ancient; definitely a back to dis-assemble and move the them in theatres on the verge of gold mine for a collector! organ. I got home, thinking very demolition, or in auditoria or "Going around behind the fire­ hard: where, how and why! In my churches. But my instrument is a place thru a door which once led to mind, it was a case of making story in itself. the kitchen, we came to the organ sketches, diagrams and photos. Then "I was in Danville, Ill., and upon loft: pipe chests, xylophone and color-code all connections, remove asking the theatre organ question, marimba. Stairs led to a catwalk and and re-install. was knocked for a loop when a man there were more wood and metal "I first bought the house and huge replied: 'Yes, I have one and want to pipes. yard adjoining my property in Niles, get rid of it. ''I had previous opportunities to Mich. On this, I planned to erect a "So, I followed him to the back of purchase pipe organs, but these went garage-type building with double his 65 acres, thru deep grass, thru a by the boards because the bits and deck to house my fleet of antique woods, pushing aside branches and pieces were scattered. However, this cars. Thus, the garage in which they thick growth. We came upon the organ, a Cozatt (never heard of the were orginally stored, would serve as remains of a big house, built in 1922 make) was intact and had been a room to spread out the organ com­ completely off the beaten path. It played up to 15 years previously. ponents. I bought a building permit had been rebuilt into a three-story "Mr. Cozatt, Sr., as I learned, was to enclose my big patio and increase edifice, and it looked more like a red an expert in many trades such as its height to make my organ loft." mill. Decaying with age, it hadn't wood engraving, lithography (the old been used since the owner passed press was still in the house), and I By December 1973, Vic had two away 15 years previously. was told he built quite a few theatre loads of Cozatt components at home. "We pushed against the sagging organs, having received his training The console had to be dismantled to front door, and upon entering, my with the Hinners Organ Co. of Pekin, get it thru a 2' 6" doorway. "My wife eye first hit on a huge fireplace, with Ill. This particular instrument was and I built a mini museum building tall organ pipes on either side, built with his utmost ability, the for the auto collection which will components of highest-grade ma­ hold 20 cars. She did the big work, Console of Vic Hyde 's 1921 4/8 Cozatt that was like pushing up the 2 x 6 rafters and originally in the Cozatt residence . /Hyde Collec t,on/ terials. I was informed that it would cost $80,000 to build this organ to­ toting the shingles up the ladder, day, and some of the materials are while I sat tacking them down. extinct. Every part of the instrument "When I returned for the second was hand-built by Cozatt: manuals, load of parts, including 500 pipes, tabs, relays, wood flute, metal trum­ the van got stuck in the front yard in pet etc. The thing really shook the Danville, and I enlisted the aid of a area with its music, I was informed. farmer with tractor to pull me out. "I was told that the two items These trips I had to make between needing replacement were the blower engagements about the country." and blower motor which were in the In March 1974, fresh from a Ca­ basement because water flooded the ribbean cruise, Vic made another area, ruining these components. trip to Danville, this time getting THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY - MARCH. 1977 result of experience and experiment while at the same time capable of the to be the best suited for this purpose, softest and sweetest effects. and which will give the finest organ for the space alloted and the money Action appropriated. "The action is an improved elec­ tric pneumatic action with individual Pipes self-seating valves for each pipe. "The pipes are made of the best "The stop action is so arranged materials obtainable with specially that the wind is distributed equally adapted, improved scales, having throughout the entire chest with a great reserve power and a surprising uniform pressure on all the pallets at richness in tone, and giving body to the base of the pipes, even when the the full organ without any of the stops are not on, making always Vic Hyde, working in 100-degree heat in the sum ­ disagreeable results produced by available an ample supply of wind mer of 1973, dismantles the Cozatt in the loft in forcing pipes of insufficient capacity, for every pipe when it is brought into Illinois . " Lordy , what we do for a hobby!," he says . (Hyde Colle ct,oni a load of spare parts and pieces lying about the property, some of it out of doors. He found a set of chimes lying in debris on the floor, some spare parts scattered outdoors in the yard as well as in secluded parts of the building. There were spools of wire, boxes of white and black manual keys, wooden flute pipes. "None of this is relevant to the organ I was getting, but since Cozatt was an organ builder, these were extras lying around which would have been junked." The place had been raided during the winter, and antique book cases were stolen, their contents strewn about the floor. Vic fished thru the material and discovered some data on Cozatt which he passed along to this writer. "Among the pile of paper debris, The Pulling Power Of Good Music Has I found a poster, printed and en­ Been Proven By The Most Successf JI graved by Perry Cozatt, Sr., adver­ Tteater Managers Everywhere. tising a 'pipe organ concert.' The photo shows an organ, fitted inside a We Take Pleasure In Presenting The truck, with the side dropped, show­ ing console and pipes. Apparently, Cozatt Pipe Organ this was a mobile unit which moved to small cities and towns to present The Cozatt organ is a gPnuine outdoor concerts. At the bottom of Theater Organ, Built on years of the poster is room for the name of e>.perience in Motion Picture the local sponsor." Theater Music. Built to overcome Another item Vic found was a booklet on Cozatt organs, "built by the monotony of the Pipe Perry Cozatt of Danville, Ill." The Organ. Designed to have beauti­ material which we quote should solve ful tone-quality, Unlimited play­ some of the mystery surrounding the ing Possibilities, and stadnard Cozatt instruments: construction familiar to all Classes of Organs Organist. "The organs which are now of­ The Cozatt Organ will be a musical feature in your theater that will fered are the result of long and care­ ful experimenting and are made to mean more business and the Elimination of your music worry to you meet the requirements of the church Pipe Organs from $500.00 up . or theatre, and from specifications This ad appeared in a Western Motion Picture Company catalogue. The WMPC distributed theatre supplies which have been determined as the and its catalogues were printed by the Cozatt Photoengraving and Printing Co. in Danville , Ill. /Hyde Coll .! FEBRUARY - MARCH. 1977 THEATRE ORGAN 13 are double that with the same num­ "We build a two-manual practice ber of pipes under the old method, organ with a complete bourdon unit making the organ equal in respect and a diapason as follows: to the ordinary organ. Bellows Great Manual - 73 Note Chests "The bellows are made with the 8 ft.
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